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2006 Prius Rattling / Buzzing while breaking and accelerating? Is It normal?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Technical Discussion' started by Garethh, Sep 26, 2014.

  1. Garethh

    Garethh Junior Member

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    Hi!

    This is my first post here. I recorded the video below. Can you please watch it and tell me if that rattling / buzzing on 0:04-0:07 normal? It happens around 10 miles of speed when I accelerate from zero and when I brake too again around 10 miles of speed. Not always, but often.



    Thank you!
     
    #1 Garethh, Sep 26, 2014
    Last edited: Oct 1, 2014
  2. Aaron Vitolins

    Aaron Vitolins Senior Member

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    That isn't normal!
     
  3. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    that almost sounds like a transaxle whine....and that would not be normal.

    best case scenario....you've got bad tires.
     
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  4. Garethh

    Garethh Junior Member

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    thanks. I could use more opinions.
     
  5. uart

    uart Senior Member

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    No problems Alper. The main noises I can here are:

    1. A little bit of a rattle from 0:04 to 0:07 and
    2. A bit of whining as you decelerate, most noticeable from about 0:12 to 0:15.

    Not sure what the minor rattle is, but that whine when you decelerate is totally normal in my experience. I believe it's just the sound of the inverter and electrical machines under heavy (regenerative) loading. I've driven several Gen2 Prius and every one of them has made that whine under firm regenerative braking.
     
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  6. Garethh

    Garethh Junior Member

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    thank you!

    i don't even hear a whine. my concern is that rattle like you said between 0:04 to 0:07. it often but not always happens when I accelerate and brake. I hope I can
     
  7. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    While the car is at a stop, repeatedly press the brake pedal. This forces the brake actuator pump to run. How does that noise compare to the rattle noise in your video?
     
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  8. valde3

    valde3 Senior Member

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    Try to hitting gently or pushing dash top glove box lids and so on to make sure it’s not something in there rattling. Also check that it isn’t brake pump as Patrick Wong suggested.
     
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  9. Garethh

    Garethh Junior Member

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    It is the exact same sound.
     
  10. valde3

    valde3 Senior Member

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    Then you shouldn’t worry about it.
     
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  11. Garethh

    Garethh Junior Member

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    thanks. ...but how so? can you explain a bit?
     
  12. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    it's a normal sound made by the actuator pump to build up pressure on the brakes. You'll normally hear it every 2nd time you press the brakes.
     
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  13. Garethh

    Garethh Junior Member

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    is it also normal that it rattles when I accelerate from zero, as well then?
     
  14. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    yes that happens too
     
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  15. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    The Prius gasoline engine turns off from time to time, in normal hybrid drivetrain operation. Since the engine is not always running, the typical engine vacuum-operated power brake system would not work well with Prius or other Toyota hybrids.

    Hence the need for the brake actuator pump which is powered by an electric motor and makes the characteristic rattle noise. That noise is normal and is no cause for concern.
     
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  16. Garethh

    Garethh Junior Member

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    what a relief! thank you guys a lot!

    just to be clear... the rattling/buzzing noise in the video above from 4th second to 7th second... it is normal to hear it for a couple seconds while accelerating from zero and while braking and getting closer to zero. ...and quite often too, right?
     
  17. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    yes. you'll hear it more during braking than accelerating
     
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  18. Garethh

    Garethh Junior Member

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    true! I do.

    If I start finding it annoying, is there anyway to stop it?
     
  19. AzWxGuy

    AzWxGuy Weather Guy

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    You will just have to be desensitized to the sound like all the rest of us.

    EDIT: You can also rest assured that your brakes will function correctly whenever you need them. That is what the sound tells me.
     
    #19 AzWxGuy, Oct 2, 2014
    Last edited: Oct 3, 2014
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